Page 45 of The Seven Rings
“Twenty,” Cleo corrected. “I have my standards. What about the rest of the family?”
“A couple of hours—take my word, that’ll do it,” Owen said. “Jones will keep them in line. And if he doesn’t, you’ve got a houseful who will.”
“All right. Twenty minutes.” Cleo rose. “You boys can clear.”
When they went inside, Trey sat another moment. “Tin Roof at Maloney’s.”
“It’s Saturday night.”
“And Sonya, especially Sonya, could use a couple hours away from Dobbs, rings, responsibilities.”
“Seems to me.”
“I was going to suggest a drive to the village and a walk in the park.”
Owen grinned, and sang, “Old man, look at my life.”
And Clover picked up the Neil Young tune on Trey’s phone.
“So, Maloney’s and a mediocre garage band it is.”
Sonya kept it casual with Molly’s choice of linen pants in faded green and a cropped white tee. She put her hair back in a sleek tail, added dangles to her ears and white sneakers on her feet.
Cleo came out of her room in a short black leather skirt and snug black tee she’d paired with platform sandals.
“Did Molly pick that?”
“No. I explained I always wear leather when I go to a joint.”
As they started down, Clover added Megan Thee Stallion with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign’s “Hot Girl Summer.”
On a laugh, Cleo took Sonya’s hand. “That’s one musically eclectic grandmama you got there, Son.”
“She’s all that and a Ferris wheel.”
Trey took one look at them and shook his head. “Maloney’s never had it so good. Okay, you guys,” he addressed the pets. “Stay out of the liquor cabinet and no wild women. Present company excepted.”
Sonya bent to give Yoda a rub, and ended up rubbing all three dogs and giving Pye a long stroke. “See you later.”
They piled into Trey’s truck. “I’m the DD,” he told them. “And I should warn you, the wine’s questionable.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had a glass of questionable wine.” Sonya looked back at the house.
The sun would soon set, so she’d left lights on. And she trusted Jack with all the pets. A couple hours in a bar with live music, mediocre wine, and pool sounded just fine.
“I get in ruts.”
“Tell me about it,” Cleo said from the back.
“I don’t have to tell you. I probably don’t have to tell anyone in this truck. I’m saying it’s nice to be pulled out of my comfortable-ish rut for an evening.”
She added a big smile.
“Maybe we could play some pool.”
“Sure. Have you ever played?”
“Sort of. Hit the ball with the stick so it goes in the hole.”
